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Gansu – Silk Road Less Trodden | 08 - 18 Sep 2018

Overview

Much lesser known by modern tourists as compared to Xinjiang, this slender province of Gansu has long seen travelers and goods of all kinds traveling between China and Central Asia.

This trip follows the starting part of the China Silk Road, which originated from Xian. Learn about the story of the great trading route in Xian and continue west to Gansu province, which has been serving as the vital corridor between China and Central Asia. See the Spectacular grottoes, monasteries and temples which marked the exchange of religion and culture between China and the west along the silk road. Apart from culture, the Silk Road is also famous for its magnificent landscapes. Be impressed by the breathe-taking Danxia landform in Zhangye. As an important military base in the past, this tour will also allow you time to visit Jiayuguan, the starting point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.

For those who have time, you may wish to extend the trip to Xinjiang.

Signature Departures Exclusives:

Visit a local Tibetan family and enjoy home cooked lunch in Xiahe;

Open doors to closed caves in Yulin Grottoes to admire the work of the ancient artists;

Epic Silk Road Multi-Trip Privileges

This departure is part of an Epic Silk Road odyssey which was once braved by Marco Polo, Alexander the Great and Zhang Qian. By combining this trip with other Epic Silk Road departures, you can retrace the footsteps of the world's greatest explorers more in-depth while enjoying the following privileges:

Upon Arrival, be met by your guide and transfer to the city. Xian, once the capital of Han Dynasty, marks a special starting point of the Ancient Silk Road. The first emperor of Han – Wudi needed allies to guard against threat from a strong neighbor and thus sent Zhang Qian to travel west to form an alliance. When Zhang Qian returned and told Emperor Wudi of what he had seen in these western states, he was sent back with a large delegation and items to trade. Over time, they developed one of the first multi-national trade route.

The Silk Road brought all sorts of strange and wonderful ideas to China in addition to the material trade. Visit the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum to learn about the stories of the city dated from Xia Dynasty (2200-1700 B.C.). The collection from the Han through the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties shows the changes of art and craftsmanship. Walking through the exhibits is like walking through the history of the Silk Road. Enjoy a welcome dinner and be transferred to the hotel for some rest.

Hotel: Sofitel Xian on Renmin Sqaure Meals: Dinner included

Day 02 - 09 Sep (Sun) - Xian / Lanzhou / Xiahe

This morning, be transferred to the airport for your flight.

Fly

09 Sep

Xian / Lanzhou

CZ 3275

1125/1235 (1h 10m)

Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to a local restaurant for late lunch. After lunch, visit Mt. Baitashan, one of the famous 8 sights of Lanzhou, where you can have a bird view of the whole city. We cross the Zhongshan Bridge, also famed as Iron bridge of Yellow River, to drive into the city.

In the late afternoon, we drive 4.5 hours to Xiahe and check into the newly opened Tibetan hotel for two nights.

Hotel: Norbu Serwo HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03 - 10 Sep (Mon) - Xiahe

This morning, meet your guide and visit the Labrang Monastery, the spiritual heartbeat of Kanlho. It is one of the six great monasteries of the Geluk (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. Walk the "kora” around the Monastery. Have an in-depth visit of the Monastery and see the daily life of local monks. If lucky, you may witness the interesting monk debating for the Tibetan Buddhist Classics.

Enjoy a home cooked Tibetan Lunch in a local family house and continue to visit to the Buddhist Scripture Printing House and learn how the monks print these classics. Continue to visit the Gong Tang Pagoda, the pagoda now is the shrine to honor the Buddhist relics of 2nd Gong Tang Live Buddha, also a wonderful place to have an overview of the Labrang. Visit a nearby nunnery to learn about their daily lives.

After lunch, continue to drive to visit the Liujiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station (view from exterior). Take a speedboat 40 minutes to Binglingsi Grottoes. "Bingling" means "thousand Buddha" or "ten-thousand Buddha" in the Tibetan language. Also known as Bingling Temple, the grottoes are carved on Jishi Hill. After the tour, we will take the boat back to the Dam.

Drive back to Lanzhou in the late afternoon and check in to your hotel for rest.

Hotel: Crown Plaza LanzhouMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05 - 12 Sep (Wed) - Lanzhou / Zhangye

This early morning, pay a visit to the Waterwheel Expo Park – an exhibition of over 10 waterwheels. They are one of the oldest irrigation tools in Lanzhou, first appearing in the Ming Dynasty. Continue to visit the Gansu Provincial Museum which boasts more than 75,000 cultural relics, including Gansu color-painted pottery, and bamboo slips on medication of the Han era and more.

After early lunch, we take a train to Zhangye.

Train

Lanzhou / Zhangye

D 2751

1410/1725 (3h 15m)

Upon arrival, be met by your guide and transfer to hotel for check in. Freshen up before dinner.

Hotel: Zhangye Lvzhou Holiday InnMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06 - 13 Sep (Thu) - Zhangye

Visit Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park. Spend some time around the park taking sightseeing buses around the four viewing platforms. Take a packed breakfast and try and time your visit with the sunrise when the colors are most vibrant, along with sunset and after it rains.

Drive on to Jiayuguan and check-in to your hotel.

Hotel: Zhangye Lvzhou Holiday HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07 - 14 Sep (Fri) - Zhangye / Jiayuguan

This morning, start driving to Zhangye and enjoy a full day will be devoted to visiting the gems around the “Mouth of China”. The gems include the iconic Jiayuguan Fort, and the Overhanging Great Wall. Also visit one of the public-accessible Wei Jin Tombs, approx. 15km northeast of town.

Hotel: Holiday Plaza Hotel JiayuguanMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08 - 15 Sep (Sat) - Jiayunguan / Yulin Grottoes / Dunhuang

This morning, we drive 3.5 hours to Yulin Grottoes. Commonly referred to “Ten-Thousand Buddha Valley”, the grottoes are highlighted by their delicate and colorful murals painted from various dynasties, whose content ranges from the figures of Buddha to the sutra stories to flowers and beasts. Enjoy a private visit to one of the closed caves after lunch.

In the afternoon, we will drive another 2 hour to Dunhuang. Check in to your hotel for some rest.

Hotel: Silk Road Dunhuang HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 09 - 16 Sep (Sun) - Dunhuang

Enjoy a leisure morning, then visit the Dunhuang museum. The extensive collection of cultural relics reflects the flourishing social development and cultural exchange between China and the West.

In the afternoon we tour to the Crescent Moon Lake and ride a camel across the picturesque Mingsha Sand Dunes. Enjoy a special welcome dinner at the rooftop of the hotel, overlooking the sand dunes. You may want to explore the Shazhou Night Market after the dinner.

Hotel: Silk Road Dunhuang HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 - 17 Sep (Mon) - Dunhuang

Today we spend the full day with a cave expert exploring the Mogao Grottoes (aka Caves of the Thousand Buddhas), a system of Buddhist caves which contain religious artworks spanning the 4th to 14th century. There are about 492 surviving caves, out of which only 30 are open to public.

After lunch, we will be granted exclusive access to some of the restricted and untouchedMogao caves.

Xiahe

Norbu Serwo Hotel

The Norbu Serwo is a great choice for guests looking for accommodation in Xiahe, having been recently opened in 2015. This property features Free in-room Wi-Fi. Guests will find Labuleng Temple and Gongtang Tower just a short distance from the hotel

Lanzhou

Crown Plaza

Rising up on the banks of Yellow River, the gorgeous Crowne Plaza Hotel Lanzhou offers 5-star accommodation with free Wi-Fi in all areas. The lavishly designed lobby and the rooms with luxurious decoration set this hotel apart from the rest. All rooms offer sweeping views of Yellow River.

Zhnagye

Zhangye Lvzhou Holiday Inn

Opened in 2015, the Lvzhou Holiday Hotel is a great accommodation choice in Zhangye. This property features Free in-room Wi-Fi. Decorated with classical decor, the units are equipped with a flat-screen cable TV, a work desk, air conditioning and a kettle. Extras include a minibar and a tea/coffee maker. The bathroom attached is fully stocked with slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer.

Jiayuguan

Holiday Plaza Hotel Jiayuhuan

Best available option in town. Functional business hotel with basic rooms and facilities.

Dunhuang

Silk Road Dunhuang Hotel

Situated against the backdrop of the picturesque Mingsha Sand Dunes. The hotel captures the spirit of the Tang Dynasty with its unique architectural design - the large rooftops and long corridors of the Han and Tang dynasties; the typical enclosed courtyard style design and mud walls of the northwestern part of China; and the replica of the late Tang, Ming and Qing dynasties furniture. The hotel provides convenient access to Mogao Grottoes and Mingsha Sand Dunes.

*Airfare & Taxes are calculated as of 26 Oct 2017 and subject to change & availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our friendly consultants.

COST INCLUDES:

Accommodation on twin/double basis;

One way domestic flight ticket (Xian to Lanzhou) on economy class;

One way train ticket (Lanzhou to Zhangye) on first class;

Meals as stated with unlimited beverages;

Tours and transfers in air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide;

Entrance fees where applicable;

Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter;

Comprehensive Travel Insurance;

Service of Country Holidays Travel Concierge;

COST EXCLUDES:

International Airfare (quoted separately);

Visa; (if any)

Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills and etc.

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